Let’s face it: no matter how easy we may make it out to be when talking to your family and friends, college is probably one of the most stressful times of your life. High school academics pale in comparison to the rigorous lifestyle one must adapt to when entering college. While you may have gotten through your freshman jitters and learned the customs and culture of your particular college, that doesn’t eliminate the stress of a tough class, the pressure to do well from family, or the fear of what will happen after you walk across the stage and receive your degree. This is seen to be normal by many, but what are the consequences of this culture? Lack of sleep from all-nighters, a seemingly endless stream of projects and exams, and the pressure to graduate on time can lead to many mental health concerns that can hinder and limit your collegiate education and experience.

My personal viewpoint on the issue is that we as college students do what we can to make others think that we are doing much better than we really are. The independence that we earned once we started college is often too precious to lose, and the last thing that we want to do is have our parents and loved ones concerned about us and constantly monitor us like they did when we were younger. Our friends appear to be smiling and having a good time all day, and nobody wants to be the Debbie Downer of the room. And if we let our professors and advisers know that we aren’t doing well in our head, we worry that they might not see us in the same light or that they might want us to “suck it up”.

So we all put on a happy face for every selfie, and we always have a smile when someone is suspected of being nearby. We box up our true emotions and shove it under the stack of work that needs to be caught up on. This approach is not only procrastinating handling the issue but also makes the issue worse as the semester progresses. Harder material and the buildup to finals gives motivation for excuses on why to put off these important problems. It’s only a matter of time before your little box can’t hold your problems and your emotions and feelings erupt without control, which often times can make things worse, depending on the situation.

Of course, I am no psychiatrist, and I’m certainly not one to diagnose other people’s issues. My personal bit of advice if this sounds at all like you, however, is to either find – or continue – a healthy way to reduce your stress levels and make yourself happier. Activities like exercise, video games, and writing, among a slew of others, can help you cope with your stress. Remember that college is supposed to be the best time of our life; we should do what we can to make them as stress-free as possible.

Don’t forget that a licensed psychiatrist is the best person to diagnose your problems. If you feel that your problems are beginning to snowball downhill, get help as soon as you can. You may actually have some form of mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, etc. Check into your campus’s health and counseling services program so you can work out your problems with someone who is trained to help you.